By Megumi Fujikawa
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda said Tuesday that the bank was getting closer to finally achieving sustainable inflation, adding to market expectations for a policy change later this year.
“The likelihood of achieving our inflation target is gradually rising,” Ueda said at a news conference.
Ueda said the BOJ would consider whether to discontinue monetary easing, including negative interest rates and its stock-buying program, when it becomes certain about reaching the goal. He added that financial conditions would likely remain very accommodative even if the bank scraps its negative rate policy.
Write to Megumi Fujikawa at megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com